I love this smol lil bean
"Where's Grace?" I ask Ronnie as she impatiently taps her foot, waiting for me to finish getting books out of my locker.
"She had last off," she says, and I furrow my eyebrows, "She did? I thought she had physics?"
"Her teacher wasn't here so they let them go," she shrugs, "Are you done?"
"Jesus Christ," I laugh, closing my locker, "Yes, I'm done."
She takes my hand weaving me through the crowds of people, "What's the rush?"
"No rush," she looks back at me, a smile on her face, "I'm just really hungry, wanna get some food, you know?"
"Well where's Ashton?" I ask, looking around, "And Calum?"
"They texted and said they're waiting my their cars."
"I didn't get it," I frown, opening up our group chat. There's no new messages.
"Oh cause Calum just texted me and told me," she waves me off.
I nod, still feeling like she's hiding something from me, but I shrug it off as we walk outside to the parking lot.
When we get out there, there are people everywhere. A huge circle has formed around something and I instantly get a bad feeling that Michael has started a fight again. Or Calum. Oh god, what did they do?
We both walk towards the circle, and I weave my way through, ready to break up whatever fight, or try to at least, my friends have caused.
But I stop dead in place, my mouth dropping as I run bring my hand to my mouth in shock.
"What-I-" I stutter, looking around and seeing kids holding their phones up, recording the scene.
I look back up at Ashton, who's grinning while holding a sign while standing on the bed of Grace's truck.
Cat, it's a beautiful night to go to prom. Be my person?
I shake my head and laugh at the Grey's Anatomy reference, "Get down."
He doesn't loose the cheesy smile as he jumps off the bed and handing the poster to Grace, who's beaming by the way. This was definitely her idea.
He walks over to me, holding a single flower in his hand and I shake my head again, laughing as I embrace him in a hug.
Everyone cheers and shouts as he pulls away slightly to bring his lips to mine.
Prom is going to be amazing.
*
Everything has been moving in slow motion since Calum left. But because he's gone, I've come to realization that everything could change in the blink of an eye.
You would of thought that I would've come to that realization years ago when I thought Grace was moving across the country and my life would be completely different. Or when she was in the car wreck and I thought she was going to die. Or when I found out I was moving back to New York. Or when I got a call from Grace saying Calum had enlisted. Or when I had a freaking gun held to my head. But no, it's like God kept making all these horrible things happen to us as a way of saying, "Seriously, Cat? Wake the fuck up."
Well, I finally did. When I got home from the airport, I just sat on my couch and thought. I didn't cry, I didn't reminisce on the old memories, I just thought about how I control my life, and if I'm not happy with it, I have to change it.
That's why I'm sitting on Ashtons couch, waiting for him to get back from the rink.
His mom opened the door, and to say she was surprised was an understatement. I don't know what he told her, or if he even told her anything, but her smile reminded me of when we were in high school, it made me happy.
"Catherine! What in the world?! What are you doing here?!"
"I was just wondering if Ashton was home," I said, "I have to talk to him."
"He is just picking up Lauren from her friends," she embraced me in a sudden hug, and I smiled warmly, wrapping my arms around her as well, "But you can wait in the living room for him, he should be home in a few."
So now here I am, my eyes scanning over all of pictures of him, Harry, and Lauren that cover the walls.
This room hasn't changed at all. It's still the exact same throw pillows that are neatly placed on the couches and chairs, it's still the exact same pictures, and I still get the exact same butterflies.
The door opens and I stand up suddenly. Lauren comes in, her eyes glued to her phone.
When she senses someone standing in her living room, her eyes divert from her phone and widen when they land on me.
"Cat!" She exclaims, running over and barreling into me.
Her arms wrap around my neck tightly as I let out a laugh, wrapping mine around her as well.
"Catherine?"
I break apart from Lauren as Ashton walks closer to us, "What? What are you doing here?"
"I uh-" I look down, "I just came to talk to you."
"Okay," he says, before looking up Lauren, "Why don't you go help mum, I think she's baking for Harrys birthday."
Lauren nods, before going into the kitchen.
"I was supposed to come to you," he shakes his head, but I interrupt him, "You did, but I wasn't ready. I heard you talking to Grace that day I was with Calum, I know you came."
"I should've come again," he shakes his head, "I didn't want to bother you, but I really don't want to loose you," he sighs, "I should've come again."
"I'm here now," I say, my eyes scanning every inch of his face. Nothing's stopping me from being with him. No girlfriend, no move to New York, nothing. The thought brings tears to my eyes, "Ashton."
He cups his hands on my cheeks, bringing my face to his.
I can feel my bones ignite as his lips move against mine. My arms wrap around his neck as his move from my face to my hips, bringing me in closer.
Both of our breath become heavy, before he starts to back me up towards the staircase.
"Fucking hell," he mumbles against my lips.
"Wait," I mumble, "I don't want to jump into bed, Ashton. I've done that too much lately."
"Okay," he says, his lips attached, "Then how about a good old fashion high school make out?"
"I'm down for that," I grin, breaking apart from him and running upstairs, him right on my heels.
I MISSED ASHRINE SO MUCH ALRIGHT I HAD TO DO THIS
and that's my dream promposal sigh I love greys
